Long-time Sharks Academy head coach – and the head of the new Sharks High Performance unit – Swys de Bruin, has quit the union to take up a senior position with the Golden Lions.

De Bruin cut his teeth coaching Griquas some years back, before a stint as SA Under 21 coach. His time in Durban has coincided with a number of junior coaching roles, with him taking the reigns of the under 21 side as recently in 2010, while he has been a virtual fixture in the Sharks Academy as well. In 2012, de Bruin was additionally appointed as Sharks High Performance coach and tasked with improving the position-specific skills of hand-picked talents within the junior ranks.

As if that wasn’t enough, de Bruin was also recently appointed as Director of Rugby at Northwood, a move which many in the schoolboy rugby fraternity caused a clear conflict of interests, given his position with the Sharks Academy and Union.

De Bruin confirmed via Facebook yesterday that he has accepted the position of Lions backline coach, which has been vacant since Carlos Spencer was fired after Super Rugby last year. The Sharks have yet to confirm, or react to, the announcement.

He’s gone from being head coach of the Sharks academy, Sharks high performance coach and director of rugby at Northwood to take up a position (touted as ‘senior’) as backline coach to a relegated under performing ex Super Rugby team. If he considers this a step upwards in his career, then perhaps we are better off?

Comment 4, posted at 13.12.12 15:19:25 by Caratacus

@vanmartin (Comment 3) : I think the answer is 2. Out of 20 attempts….

I am not sure where to bring this up…But do any of you guys in the know have any info on this rumour about JPP being hunted by Toulon ?? he was spotted there 2 weeks ago i think.

anyone ????

Comment 8, posted at 17.12.12 12:16:41 by The Duke

@The Duke (Comment 8) : JP is good friends with Fred Michalak and stopped off in Toulon to visit him after the Bok tour.

Comment 9, posted at 17.12.12 17:17:23 by robdylan

aah but Rob, that nut case owner of Toulon has also made claims he is in the market for ( i think )6 South african Players.

so i hear.

Comment 10, posted at 20.12.12 11:20:53 by The Duke

@robdylan (Comment 9) : hey Rob seeing as it is the end of the world tomorrow can’t we get a couple of bonus star for tonight?
Did you see the new Sharks jersey for 2013? How’s work and are you packed for SA?